|
|
|
Every year Dedham resident Denise Sullivan has her two dogs — Tobey and Chloe Elizabeth — blessed. It’s a way to ensure their wellbeing, she explained.
“I think they need it just like we do,” said Sullivan, who adopted her pups from the Animal Rescue League in Dedham.
On Sunday afternoon Sullivan joined about 40 residents, with pets in tow, at an interfaith blessing of the animals hosted by the Dedham Animal Rescue League beside its Pine Street pet cemetery.
The Dedham branch has held an animal blessings in the past, but it’s the first time it’s had one at the start of a new year.
“It’s a way to start the year right,” said Mike Thomas, the cemetery’s caretaker.
The event will likely take place again next January, said Jay Bowen, president of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
The Rev. Patricia Handloss, a retired associate vicar of the Old North Church in the North End and Animal Rescue League of Boston overseer, administered the blessings.
She grew up with animals, she said.
“They were always treated with respect,” she said, noting that’s not always the case with animals.
As residents waited for the reverend to arrive, they introduced their pets to one another. The pups generally got along, though there was some barking.
“She needs an exorcism,” Dedham resident Carmelina Barletta joked about her pooch, a border collie golden retriever mix, as she growled at the other dogs. “She needs all the help she can get.”
Once Handloss arrived, she championed the value of animals. They bring us many gifts, she said, including happiness.
“Let us give them back to the animals,” Handloss said of the gifts.
Humans have long regarded animals highly, she said. St. Francis of Assisi was one such fan, she added, before reading the St. Francis Prayer.
Handloss then made the rounds of the animals, placing her hand on their heads.
She asked their owners what religion they practiced, if any, and then tailored the blessing appropriately.
“She called down the Lord to bless and take care of her,” Dedham resident Jean Maxwell said of her Yorkshire terrier, LuLu.
Most animals at Sunday’s event were dogs.
The Doyle family of Dedham, however, brought their fluffy lionhead rabbit, Timber, who they adopted from the Dedham Animal Rescue League.
“He was the easiest to bring out of the cat, dog and rabbit,” Christine Doyle said of her other animals at home.
Every year Dedham resident Denise Sullivan has her two dogs — Tobey and Chloe Elizabeth — blessed. It’s a way to ensure their wellbeing, she explained.
“I think they need it just like we do,” said Sullivan, who adopted her pups from the Animal Rescue League in Dedham.
On Sunday afternoon Sullivan joined about 40 residents, with pets in tow, at an interfaith blessing of the animals hosted by the Dedham Animal Rescue League beside its Pine Street pet cemetery.
The Dedham branch has held an animal blessings in the past, but it’s the first time it’s had one at the start of a new year.
“It’s a way to start the year right,” said Mike Thomas, the cemetery’s caretaker.
The event will likely take place again next January, said Jay Bowen, president of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
The Rev. Patricia Handloss, a retired associate vicar of the Old North Church in the North End and Animal Rescue League of Boston overseer, administered the blessings.
She grew up with animals, she said.
“They were always treated with respect,” she said, noting that’s not always the case with animals.
As residents waited for the reverend to arrive, they introduced their pets to one another. The pups generally got along, though there was some barking.
“She needs an exorcism,” Dedham resident Carmelina Barletta joked about her pooch, a border collie golden retriever mix, as she growled at the other dogs. “She needs all the help she can get.”
Once Handloss arrived, she championed the value of animals. They bring us many gifts, she said, including happiness.
“Let us give them back to the animals,” Handloss said of the gifts.
Humans have long regarded animals highly, she said. St. Francis of Assisi was one such fan, she added, before reading the St. Francis Prayer.
Handloss then made the rounds of the animals, placing her hand on their heads.
She asked their owners what religion they practiced, if any, and then tailored the blessing appropriately.
“She called down the Lord to bless and take care of her,” Dedham resident Jean Maxwell said of her Yorkshire terrier, LuLu.
Most animals at Sunday’s event were dogs.
The Doyle family of Dedham, however, brought their fluffy lionhead rabbit, Timber, who they adopted from the Dedham Animal Rescue League.
“He was the easiest to bring out of the cat, dog and rabbit,” Christine Doyle said of her other animals at home.
Her children, 6-year-old Gracie and 4-year-old Mickey, said that Timber is very special to them. They hadn’t intended to get a rabbit when they visited the league, but he caught their eye.
“We thought he was really cute, and we decided to buy him,” Gracie said.
“I did, too,” Mickey added.
Cats also participated in Sunday’s event.
“May you give love to all those who love you and even those who don’t,” Handloss said to one particular cat.
The Arnold family of Lincoln brought a photo of their pet to be blessed because they said it was too cold outside for their boxer, Speedy.
He was there in spirit, however. Speedy has helped Terry Arnold get through an illness, he said.
“He’s a companion who’s always there,” Arnold said.
